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| F4U-4 Corsair; 1/72 03955 Model Set | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Oct 9 2016, 08:15 PM (473 Views) | |
| peebeep | Oct 9 2016, 08:15 PM Post #1 |
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Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious
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![]() Chance Vought F4U-4 Corsair Every year I make a pilgrimage to Duxford for the Flying Legends show. Something I always look forward to is the sight and sound of the 'Bent Wing Bird', the Corsair. To me it is not only visually appealing, but it has a good 'sit', both on the ground and in the air. It has tremendous performance and its power enables it to perform enormous and graceful looking loops with ease. One of the all time great piston engine powered single seaters, a classic. Revell have a new 1/72 kit release of the F4U-4 variant. ![]() When this kit was first announced, I thought it might be an Italeri re-issue, but it is not, it is a variation of the previously released new tool F4U-1A, with a new frame of parts to cover the -4 variation. In fact the original kit is a bit of a mix 'n match between the -1A and 1D, but that is another story. I like the box art and being a compulsive sort it's good enough to tempt me to buy. Here's the sprue shots. ![]() ![]() ![]() The main sprues are identical to the original release. There is a reasonably complete cockpit complemented with decal instrument panels and consoles. The instructions helpfully suggest using decal setting solution when applying these decals, personally I would sand off the raised details. The seat is a bit generic and not completely representative of F4U's, the decals supplying representation of straps. Those that are really bothered by cockpit detail will almost certainly be looking to replace the kit parts with resin or PE (perversely, I enjoy folding a flat part into a seat), but the majority will probably be quite happy with what is supplied. The sprue containing the tanks and wheels is supplemented with a pair of bombs. The new sprue contains the requisite four blade prop, which looks nicely done, projecting wing armament and modified cowling parts, the front cowling having the chin scoop that is a feature of the -4. Technically the new cowling parts should increase the length over the original kit by about 1.5mm, but to be perfectly honest this is not something I've checked or intend to check. The transparencies are very glossy in appearance and well moulded. The blown hood has a good shape, but the thickness means there is some distortion, accentuated by the parts being exceptionally clear. The only way you would be able to overcome this is with a vac formed replacement. All the plastic components exhibit very fine engraved panel lines, in my view so fine that they are likely to disappear even under an airbrushed coat of paint. This probably proves that you never stand a chance of pleasing anybody with engraved panel lines. The wings have separate tips that don't align with anything in particular and will be a challenge in terms of fitting and filling. ![]() Decals provide one scheme for a Florida based training unit. The printing is well done and opaque in appearance and includes the colourful fuselage band. The F4U-4 saw service late in WWII, so there should be plenty of options to look for if you wanted something different, as well as a myriad of post war schemes. ![]() Instructions are the now standard colour printed on semi-glossy paper, with excellent graphics that show clearly where everything should fit. ![]() The painting and decal guide is similarly perfectly clear in what colours to use and where the decals should go. I won't comment on the accuracy or otherwise of this kit, other than that the supplied components look like they should assemble into a model that looks very much like the real thing. In all honesty somebody buying a Model Set for themselves, or as a gift, is unlikely to be too perturbed by questions of accuracy. Assessing the merits of this kit on the 'good enough for government work' would almost certainly give it the thumbs up. Things I really don't like: the separate wing tips; some of the mouldings are a little 'soft' and not as crisp as you might expect. Model Sets come with a paint brush, basic paints and cement. The brushes are a little bit 'meh', they're OK for setting solutions and such like, but I couldn't recommend them for painting the model. I've not tried any of the Revell acrylic paints, but heard good things about them. Hopefully the paints are better in quality than those supplied in gift sets by a well known competitor... The cement is Contacta Professional Mini. Contacta cement is very good, if you've never tried any it's worth investing in some, I'm a big fan and I love the precision applicator. To sum up. I like that Revell are looking to maximise on their tooling by offering options and the F4U-4 only has one currently readily available competitor from Hobbyboss. Otherwise there is the old Matchbox offering, probably easy to find but not as sophisticated as this Revell kit. Also if you can find them the Italeri F4U-4B, issued in various boxings. As a model set I think this kit works very nicely and whilst it's not the last word in kits of this scale it would still be worth a punt for Corsair fans looking to add something different to their Corsair collection. peebeep Review sample courtesy of Revell. Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For details visit: Revell Website Revell Facebook Edited by Johni044, Oct 22 2017, 09:44 AM.
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| jacksdad64 | Oct 9 2016, 10:00 PM Post #2 |
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Aikidoka
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Cracking review Mr B. I'm looking forward to seeing you build it. |
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| Johni044 | Oct 22 2017, 09:44 AM Post #3 |
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John
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Picture links restored |
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